A former Los Angeles Police Department officer who is believed to be targeting officers and their families is wanted in connection with the ambush-style slaying Thursday morning of a Riverside officer and another shooting involving LAPD officers, according to police.

Three officers were shot -- two in Riverside, one in Corona -- Thursday morning, and all of the shootings are likely connected to Christopher Dorner, a former Los Angeles Police Department officer wanted in connection with a double slaying last weekend in Irvine. The homicide involved a former LAPD officer's daughter and her fianc.

Police said two Riverside officers responded to a call for assistance at about 1:30 a.m. The response occurred during the search that began with a report of a vehicle matching the description of Dorner's.

"By all accounts, it appears they were stopped at a red light and just ambushed by the suspect," said Riverside Lt. Guy Toussaint.

Both Riverside officers were shot and transported to a hospital, where one was pronounced dead. The second officer remained in surgery, police said.